Swea City, IA

Iowa

Swea City is a small town in Iowa with a population of 612. Residents earn $50,625 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
612 Population 795/sq mi density
$50,625 Median Income $32,758 per capita
$48,800 Home Value $110,177 Zillow
$670 Median Rent 17.8% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$50,625 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$48,800 home value, $670/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,625
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $48,800
83% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.6%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $670
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.1%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.0%
69% higher than US avg

How Swea City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population612
Median Age41.1 yrs
Density795/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans12.8%

Economy

B
Median Income$50,625
Per Capita$32,758
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty21.0%
County GDP$1,399M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$48,800
Rent$670
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$110,177
Rent Burden17.8%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain32.9 in/yr
Elevation1,177 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.6%
High School+93.3%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 27%
Commute22 min
Broadband80.1%
Libraries11

Is Swea City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Swea City receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Swea City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Swea City is $50,625, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. The poverty rate of 21.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Swea City is $48,800, 83% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $670 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Swea City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.9 inches, including 39.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Swea City has a population of 612 with a density of 795 people per square mile. The median age is 41.1 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.6%), with 3.3% Hispanic.

Population

612
Total Population
795
People / sq mi
41.1yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.2%
Female 50.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Swea City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.7%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.3%
68% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Swea City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Swea City is $50,625, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 21.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Swea City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,625
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,758
Avg Weekly Wage$1,015
IRS Avg AGI$79,103

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate21.0%
69% above US avg
Establishments (County)644
County GDP$1,399M

Business (County)

Restaurants33
Healthcare33
Retail71
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,442
27% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate9.10%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.5 min
Drive Alone74.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Swea City is $48,800, 83% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $670 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $110,177.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$48,800
83% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$110,177

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$670
42% below US avg
Rent Burden17.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,442
27% above US avg
Effective Rate9.10%
In Swea City, 41.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.7% report depression. 27.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Swea City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.1%
28% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma10.5%
COPD7.4%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.4%
Physical Inactivity27.2%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress13.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.4%
Checkup Rate75.2%
Premature Death7,364/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access61.4%
Healthcare Facilities33

Crime Rates: Swea City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Swea City has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-10°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average43.8°F
19% below US avg
January Average13°F (-10°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.9 inches
14% below US avg
Snowfall39.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,177 ft (359 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density795/sq mi
Coordinates43.3835°N, 94.3103°W
County FIPS19109
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 44.2-point margin. 80.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.4%
D 27.3%

Winner: Republican by 44.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.6%
36% below US avg
High School+93.3%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density795/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access80.1%
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants33
Retail Stores71

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.5 min
Drive Alone74.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.6%

Nearby Cities

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